Editing Arch Deluxe

{{Short description|Type of McDonald's hamburger}}
{{pp-sock|small=yes}}
{{Nutritional value
| name = 
| image = Arch-deluxe-header.png
| caption = Arch deluxe Logo
| serving_size = 1 sandwich
| kcal = 560
| fat = 32 g
| satfat = 11 g
| transfat =
| protein = 50 g
| sodium_mg = 960
| carbs =
| fiber =
| sugars = 
| vitA_ug =
| vitC_mg = 
| vitE_mg =
| calcium_mg =
| iron_mg =
| source = [[CSPI]]<ref name=cspi>{{cite web |url=https://cspinet.org/news/mcdonalds-targets-americans-hearts |title= McDonald's Targets Americans' Hearts|first=Jeff|last=Cronin|publisher=[[CSPI]] |date=May 3, 1996 |access-date=October 6, 2007}}</ref>
| note =
}}
The '''Arch Deluxe''' was a [[hamburger]] sold by the international [[fast food]] restaurant chain [[McDonald's]] in 1996 and marketed specifically to adults. Despite having the largest [[advertising]] and promotional budget in fast food history at the time,<ref name="collins">{{cite news |last1=Collins |first1=Glenn |title=Chief of McDonald's Defends Arch Deluxe to Franchisees |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/09/19/business/chief-of-mcdonald-s-defends-arch-deluxe-to-franchisees.html |access-date=5 June 2023 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=19 September 1996}}</ref> it was soon discontinued after failing to become popular. It is considered one of the most expensive product flops of all time.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/mcdonalds-tests-archburger-after-90s-flop-2018-1|title=McDonald's is bringing back one of its most expensive failures — with one major difference|first=Kate| last=Taylor|work=[[Business Insider]]|date=January 3, 2018}}</ref>

== Product description ==
[[File:Arch Deluxe Composition.gif|thumb|340px|right|The Arch Deluxe composition from an advertisement]]
The Arch Deluxe was a [[pound (weight)#Pound (avoirdupois) or international pound|quarter pound]] of [[beef]] on a split-top [[flour#Other flours|potato flour]] [[sesame seed]] bun, topped with a circular piece of peppered [[bacon]], leaf lettuce, tomato, [[American cheese]], onions, ketchup, and Dijonnaise (a [[portmanteau]] of [[Dijon mustard]] and [[mayonnaise]]) sauce.<ref name="howstuff">{{cite news| url= https://money.howstuffworks.com/5-failed-mcdonalds-menu-items3.htm|title =5 Failed McDonald's Menu Items|last= McGrath|first= Jane|work=[[HowStuffWorks]]|access-date= May 28, 2018}}</ref>

== History ==
In response to the demographic trend of longer lifespans and an expanding older market, and to its child-centered image, McDonald's made a conscious decision to attempt to market its food to a more adult audience. Rather than change its existing menu items or marketing strategy, the company decided to create a new line of sandwiches with what would hopefully be perceived as more sophisticated ingredients. It commissioned Executive Chef Andrew Selvaggio to create the Deluxe line of burgers including the '''Fish Filet Deluxe''', '''Grilled Chicken Deluxe''', '''Crispy Chicken Deluxe''', and the [[core product|flagship]] '''Arch Deluxe'''.{{fact|date=January 2023}}

The Arch Deluxe was first tested as a "Taste of the Month" burger in October 1995 at McDonald's restaurants in Canada. Afterwards, the Arch Deluxe was officially released in May 1996 in one of the most expensive advertising campaigns to date. Customers were dissuaded, however, by the high price, which ranged from US$2.09 up to US$2.49 (equivalent to ${{Inflation|US|2.49|1996|fmt=c}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}),<ref name="glass2021">{{cite web |url=https://www.eater.com/22584033/mcdonalds-arch-deluxe-burger-discontinued-marketing-flop-andrew-selvaggio |title=The Arch Deluxe Was a Hell of a Burger. It Was Also McDonald's Most Expensive Flop. |first=Jeremy |last=Glass |date=2021-07-23 |accessdate=2023-01-07 |work=Eater }}</ref> and unconventional ads, and consumer groups were upset by the higher caloric content. The brand was still sold at select restaurants during 1998 and 1999. On August 18, 2000, the Arch Deluxe was finally discontinued, and is no longer found at McDonald's stores.<ref name="howstuff" />

McDonald's is estimated to have spent over US$300 million (equivalent to ${{Inflation|US|300|1996|fmt=c}} million in {{Inflation/year|US}}) on the research, production, and marketing for the Arch Deluxe.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/there-isnt-enough-special-sauce-to-win-the-burger-wars-11573813981|title=There Isn't Enough Special Sauce to Win the Burger Wars|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|first=Charley|last=Grant|date=November 15, 2019}}{{subscription required}}</ref> The company stated in 2003 that some of its initial research into adult marketing was recycled in the development of its successful line of [[salad]]s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mondaymemo.net/030317feature.htm |title=McDonald's: When the Passion is Gone, the Profits are Over |first=Wally |last=Bock |publisher=MondayMemo.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030424033428/http://www.mondaymemo.net/030317feature.htm|archive-date=April 24, 2003|url-status=dead |date=March 17, 2003 |access-date=October 6, 2007}}</ref>

==See also==
{{portal|Food|1990s}}
* [[McDonald's Deluxe line]]
* [[McDonald's products]]
* [[List of defunct consumer brands]]

Criticized [[fast food]] products:
* [[McAfrika]]

Similar products from other fast food vendors:
* [[Burger King products]]
* [[BK Crown Jewels line]]
* [[TenderCrisp]] sandwich

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/19970113194649/http://www.mcdonalds.com/a_now/deluxe_line/ McDonald's original Arch Deluxe Website] from the [[Internet Wayback Machine]]

{{McDonald's}}

[[Category:McDonald's foods]]
[[Category:Defunct food product brands]]
[[Category:Products introduced in 1996]]
[[Category:Products and services discontinued in 2000]]
[[Category:Fast food hamburgers]]